Today, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Tatyana Golikova confirmed that two cases of coronavirus infection have been detected in Russia - in the Trans-Baikal Territory and the Tyumen Region. Both infected are Chinese. Nikolai Malyshev, a leading researcher at the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology under the Health Ministry, spoke on how to protect yourself from the new virus.
Incubation period
The incubation period is currently estimated to be around two weeks, although there's also different data, saying that it may last up to three weeks. The quarantine time is estimated to be around 14 days.
How to get infected
You can get infected through airborne droplets and through contaminated surfaces. Moscow's weather is suitable for rapid spread of the virus: humidity facilitates conservation of the virus, although it's unstable - it can survive for about a day on the surfaces. But in most cases, the virus is transmitted from person to person.
Clinical background
The clinical blackground of the virus resembles most respiratory infections, primarily fever and cough. In addition, other symptoms include headache and joints pain. Recently, there have been reports that bowel functions may be affected as well.
More severe cases always result in pneumonia.
How to avoid getting sick
Wash your hands often with soap.
If you see someone nearby coughing or sneezing, step further away.
Wear medical masks.
What's next
The Health Ministry and sanitary inspection bodies are actively working to prevent wide spread of the virus into Russia, and most importantly, to prevent progression of the disease in case it will reach Russia after all.
